More people are going to school for longer
Access to the internet is increasing
Solar power is getting cheaper
Beer consumption going up ??? 🙂
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
details on vox
(via Bill Gates)
Category: good news
on Obamacare …
Here’s the good news.
Number of Uninsured Americans Near Historic Low
Just 11.3 percent of Americans were uninsured in the second quarter …
But that progress has come at great cost. Sen. Tom Harkin, one of the co-authors of the Affordable Care Act, now thinks Democrats may have been better off not passing it at all and holding out for a better bill.
It’s a mixed legacy.
world poverty dropping fast
In 1820 the vast majority of people lived in extreme poverty and only a tiny elite enjoyed higher standards of living.
Economic growth over the last 200 years completely transformed our world and poverty fell continuously over the whole 2 last centuries. This is even more remarkable when we consider that the population increased 7-fold over the same time (which in itself is a consequence of increasing living standards and decreasing mortality – especially of infants and children – around the world). …
Even in 1981 more than 50% of the world population lived in absolute poverty – this is now down to about 20%. This is still a large number of people but the change is happening incredibly fast and for our present world the data tells us that poverty is now falling more quickly than ever before in world history. The first of the Millenium Development Goals set by the UN was to halve the population living in absolute poverty between 1990 and 2015. Rapid economic growth meant that this goal – arguably the most important – was achieved (5 years ahead of time) in 2010.
If you like that good news, click over to their home page for even more positive data. The world is improving in many ways.
German Universities now tuition free
Though Germany is a fiscally conservative nation, they’ve decided to invest in students. Education is the future.
All German universities will be free of tuition starting 2014.
More equal access to all citizens. The rich are less advantaged than in the past.
How does the tax burden compare with the most expensive nation?
Germany – 39.90%
USA – 22.70%
These tax rates apply to single people with no children, on an average salary for their country.
my future home?
… 150 square feet …
The architect stole design elements from ships to make this home as efficient as possible. The kitchen does double duty as a home- and work-station, and it’s naturally lit with a wall full of windows. …
The cottage, designed for year-round use, is small enough to be powered solely by solar panels. A central cast-iron, wood burning stove heats the home. Plus, building costs were relatively low (about $42,000 including all interior furnishings) thanks to the cabin’s small size and smart design.
In fact, you can buy this cottage—or one like it—for about $18,500 …
I love Safeway
But I can’t afford Safeway. It’s too expensive.
However … there are a few things in the Deli and bakery that I will pay the Safeway surcharge for.
Yesterday a clerk informed that Safeway Canada discontinued their loyalty card program in April 2014:
“There are just too many cards in the wallet these days … “
FANTASTIC
I hate loyalty cards. 🙂
Nova Scotia-based Sobeys, Canada’s second-largest grocery store chain, acquired Canada Safeway stores for $5.8B in June.
Uber disrupting the taxi industry
I hate taxis. 😦
And would love to support ANY alternative.
Uber sounds great. 🙂
Uber is a venture-funded startup and transportation network company based in San Francisco, California, that makes mobile apps that connects passengers with drivers of vehicles for hire and ridesharing services. …
Uber has been accused in several jurisdictions of illegal taxicab operation. …
On 11 June 2014, in a concerted action, taxis blocked roads in major European cities in protest against what they perceive as a threat to their livelihood by companies such as Uber. The cabbies contended that Uber and similar smartphone app-based services have an unfair advantage because they’re not subjected to the same kinds of fees and regulations placed on taxis. …
Google is one of the biggest investors.
Uber is not always the faster, cheaper option. But it will be, eventually.
Uruguay – NATION of the year
… the accomplishments that most deserve commendation, we think, are path-breaking reforms that do not merely improve a single nation but, if emulated, might benefit the world.
Gay marriage is one such border-crossing policy, which has increased the global sum of human happiness at no financial cost. Several countries have implemented it in 2013—including Uruguay, which also, uniquely, passed a law to legalise and regulate the production, sale and consumption of cannabis. This is a change so obviously sensible, squeezing out the crooks and allowing the authorities to concentrate on graver crimes, that no other country has made it. If others followed suit, and other narcotics were included, the damage such drugs wreak on the world would be drastically reduced.
Better yet, the man at the top, President José Mujica, is admirably self-effacing. With unusual frankness for a politician, he referred to the new law as an experiment. He lives in a humble cottage, drives himself to work in a Volkswagen Beetle and flies economy class. Modest yet bold, liberal and fun-loving, Uruguay is our country of the year. ¡Felicitaciones!
related – This immediately iconic photo of Uruguay’s president must be seen to be believed
China and India …
China and India sounded a new optimistic tone in their relationship … as they signed an agreement to boost meetings between their militaries to avoid any repeat of this year’s tense standoff along their disputed Himalayan border.
The accord followed a meeting in Beijing between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who also had trade ties on the agenda as India seeks to gain greater access to Chinese markets and readjust a trade balance tilted heavily toward China. …
A Big Heart Open to God
Finally, a reform Pope.
I’m really liking Pope Francis, so far. 🙂
These excerpts are from the full interview published in English by America magazine, a Jesuit weekly based in New York.
The pope, formerly a cardinal, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, spoke of the mistakes he feels he made when he became the superior of his Jesuit province in Argentina at the “crazy” young age of 36.
He talked about his vision of the church, and why he has chosen not to spend much time talking about abortion, gay marriage and contraception.
He explained what he meant by the headline-grabbing remark he made about gay people: “Who am I to judge?” And he said that doubt is essential to finding God. …
Rick McCharles 